Class 11/5/13

Today in class we did an entrance card that explained how to find the derivative of  a function without using a forwards, backwards, or symetric difference quotient and writing it all out. In order to find the derivative of the function you simply take the value of the exponent and multiple it by the value of the coefficient in the function in order to get the coefficient of x for the derivative, and you subtract 1 from the exponent that was on the x. For example: g(x)=1x^4......g'(x)=4x^3. Then we took notes on the derivative of a power function. After that we took a concept test on the derivative of at a point. Then we did HW check 3.3 on sketching derivatives. Finally we did exploration 3-4a: Algebraic Derivative of a Power Function. That's all folks!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Today in class we began class with the POD which was about explaining the difference between the derivative at a point and the derivative of a function.  We then got our Chapter 2 tests back.  After that we learned how to use the nDeriv function on the TI-83 and TI-84 calculator to graph the derivative and how to do the limit on N-spires.  We then began working on the N-spires derivative exploration, which is how class finished.

For homework: Exploration 3.3b and Sketching Derivatives A-D (do the two you were given)